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Amazon River

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Uakari: The red faced moneky

Preethi Chandrasekhar

I really wanted to see the sloth and the anaconda that I've read so much about but I came upon this red faced monkey chomping on a guava fruit and I had to take this picture. In my desperate quest for the anaconda/sloth combination, I almost missed this little creature up on the tree! What was memorable for me was how it was cutely devouring that fruit and it's red face! I later found out it was the Uakari (found in Peru and Brazil), which has so little fat under its skin and is so full of capillaries that the blood shows through to make it red-faced.

Zion National Park

This hike is also one of my top contenders for "Best Day Hike in the World." Zion, tucked in Springdale, Utah, is already such a profoundly striking national park, and the chance to tackle the famed Narrows hike on the Virgin River completes an epic visit.
Be sure to check the weather reports for possible flash flooding and make sure that you have a lot of water, snacks for fuel, and layers for when you start to get cold in the slot canyon shadows.
I'd encourage you to make reservations for shoe and trekking pole rentals with the Zion Adventure Company. Once you're in their office you're greeted warmly with information, maps, instructional videos, and everything else you need to know before heading in.
You'll be hiking on the Colorado Plateau and almost entirely IN the river. The walls are vertical and sheer, and different shades of red and orange in color. Water levels change from season to season but be aware that you're always at least wading in knee- to waist-high water (if not swimming small sections). Due to the water level, Zion Adventure Company may outfit you with pants perfect for this type of experience.
For the single-day hike experience in the Narrows, you'll be tackling the up-and-back route from the Temple of Sinawava.

Zócalo

On its own, the massive Mexican flag flying in the center of the Zócalo, Mexico City's main and most important plaza, is impressive. But the flag-raising and lowering ceremonies held each morning and evening are even more spectacular and memorable, full of opportunities to take fantastic photos.
Watch as military police form straight lines and march into the square, along with a full complement of bugle blowers, trumpeters, and drummers. They form a square around the plaza and a contingent unfolds or refolds the gigantic flag, depending on the time of day, before parading it out in the daily ceremonial display.

Valley of Fire State Park

Clark County

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Exploring the Valley of Fire

Nicole Smith

Get out of Las Vegas and visit The Valley of Fire, Nevada’s oldest, largest and first state park. The park is a geological beauty and easily accessible at just a 50-minute drive from the Strip. There you’ll find 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs, petrified areas, the remains of cabins from the 30′s and unique natural formations created by the winds passing across the lands.
Driving into the desert in the comfortable Pink Jeep Tour Trekker, a specially customised luxury Chrysler with reclining leather seats, we followed the highways, the Pink Jeep purring along.
There was orange as far as my eyes could see, with browning or sparsely coloured bushes dotted across the expanse. Driving through the lands I could understand why people chose to film here – Total Recall, Star Trek Generations, and Domino, to name a few - it looked like another planet.
I was fascinated by the petroglyphs, written by the Atlatl, many still left undeciphered. Due to the dry weather many of the petroglyphs don’t need to be covered up and can be left in their natural state, though some are covered by a thin layer of plastic if within arms reach just in case people want to graffiti them.

Arenal Volcano

Make sure to watch the sun rise or set over the Arenal Volcano—it's simply magical. As we sat on our deck enjoying the last of the sunset I noticed a faint glow coming from the top of the Arenal Volcano. Initially we were excited as we thought we were about to witness an eruption—which had not occurred in over a year. Instead, we sat transfixed as we watched the full moon rise from the apex of the volcano and it seemed like Arenal was spitting a fireball across the night sky.

New York isn't the most bike-friendly city out there, although there have been some major improvements as of late. Regardless, whenever I travel to other destinations I always try to fit in a bike ride.
Nothing quite prepared me for the three hour bike ride through Maui's Haleakala National Park! In actuality, the self-guided bike tour (a driver takes you to the starting point) takes you down a volcano. It's also downhill and extremely scenic.
Make sure to pull over if you plan on taking photos of the view. Much of the trail is on a main road and while cars are far and few, you still need to watch out for them when they pull around the winding corners.
I booked with Haleakala Bike Company and they were helpful in making sure we were all suited up - backpacks, jackets, helmets and bikes.
More on Bohemian Trails.

Brooklyn Bridge

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is something I like to do on every single visit to the "Big Apple". If I'm staying in Manhattan then I like to walk across to DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). If I'm staying in Brooklyn then I like to walk over to Manhattan. I thoroughly enjoy the walk across this iconic landmark every time I'm in NYC, but to walk across at dusk and see the sunset over New York City is amazing every time!
When you are on the bridge you'll see the locals running and walking. You'll hear 20 different languages from the groups of tourists coming to see the bridge. You'll see Japanese and Korean tourists with their giant SLR cameras (I'm one to talk)! You'll see couples taking self portraits of themselves. Be sure to watch out for bicyclists and stay in the walking lane. And you'll have a great view of Brooklyn to one side and an amazing view of Manhattan on the other side.
On the contrary I would not recommend walking across the Manhattan Street Bridge due to the noisy train and a lack of good lighting, but if you want to get off the beaten track then this is also an option for great views of the city and to see the Brooklyn bridge from afar.
I would recommend having dinner and drinks in DUMBO. There are some amazing cafes, coffee shops, chocolate boutiques, and restaurants in this hip Brooklyn neighborhood. "Superfine" is my personal favorite restaurant in DUMBO with a rotating menu based on what can be purchased locally and in season.

Treebones Resort

Big Sur

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Sleep in the Trees

Serena Renner

AFAR Contributor

For such a remote region, Big Sur has more than its share of amazing places to stay. One of the most unique is Treebones Resort, nestled high in the foothills of South Big Sur overlooking the Pacific. The off-the-grid property offers 16 signature yurts as well as oceanfront campsites, a tipi-like tent, and the "human nest" (pictured), a spherical dwelling woven from tree branches by local artist Jayson Fann. Even nesters have access to the resort's pool, hot tub, and restaurant, which highlights produce from the on-site organic farm and houses what has to be one of the world's most scenic sushi bars.

Post Ranch Inn

Big Sur

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Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

Serena Renner

AFAR Contributor

The oceanview cottages and cliff-edge infinity pools here are the stuff of dream honeymoons. At the Sierra Mar restaurant, chef John Cox recently debuted a Taste of Big Sur menu that celebrates the coast with dishes such as red abalone marinated in kelp.
From $675. (831) 667-2200. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue.

Lago de Atitlan

Solola

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Lago and the Light

Sara Lieberman

Getting to Lake Atitlan is no easy feat. After flying into Guat City, it's another 4 hours by bus to Panajachel. Then, if your'e staying on the lake, which I recommend, it's a short (and sometimes rocky) boat ride from there. But upon reaching the docks of La Casa del Mundo in Jaibalito, and seeing the sun reflect on the lake like so, well, it's worth it tenfold.

Rocky Mountain National Park

I hiked up to Bear Lake and in Rocky Mountain National Park last spring, outside Estes Park, Colorado. Shoe rentals are abundant and reasonable in town (I went to Estes Park Mountain Shop), or just post-hole it up into the wilderness in your boots 'n gators.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

In 1959, a massive fountain eruption created a huge lava lake in Kilauea Iki on the Big Island of Hawaii. Slowly, over the next three decades, the lake solidified all the way through, but the center of this lake still registers warmer temperatures.
The Kilauea Iki Crater Trail is a path that Volcanoes National Park visitors can take across the vast empty crater floor where steam still rises in places. The National Park Service offers a helpful trail guide (linked below) so hikers can learn about the historic explosion and some of the flora and fauna in the area.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Stephanie Roach

The MET is a world-renowned museum with a collection that spans centuries, cultures, and mediums. The history of art shapes the lens through which I look at contemporary art. I learned so much from being able to see the range the MET offers: from ancient Egyptian art, to designer Alexander McQueen’s exhibition at the Costume Institute of the MET, to the furniture by the Roentgens brothers, all co-existing within the same walls. I’m also excited by the hire of Sheena Wagstaff, who will oversee the MET’s new department focused on 20th- and 21st-century art.

Burning Man

Black Rock City

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Art at the Heart

Chip Conley

Festival Correspondent

Burning Man conjures up all kinds of images for those who’ve never been. Naked new agers dancing till dawn. Polyamorous pursuers fueled by ecstasy. Yes, the Playa (the desert stage where the Man, the temple, and much of the art is located) is a culturally curious place, equal parts hedonistic and idealistic. But, amidst the hippies and Silicon Valley CEOs that populate this pop-up town, the common thread is an appreciation of the life-affirming nature of the artistic spirit.
This exquisite collection of art forms is one of thousands that occupies Burning Man’s participants in between the annual pilgrimage to the Playa. Just like the industrious Balinese toil away painting and constructing for their joyous village festivals, so do Burners. It’s ironic that Burning Man falls on Labor Day weekend because the amount of sweat and elbow grease that goes into creating these temporary art installations is staggering. The result is the world’s largest interactive display of art on a “lunar” landscape that gives an otherworldly flavor to the whole experience.
So, the next time someone snickers or blushes when you mention Burning Man, remind them that while sex, drugs, and all night dancing may be part of the Playa culture, there’s no more profound and profane celebration of art on the planet.

Balboa Park

San Diego

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Photo safari this afternoon

Mark Patterson

I went down to Balboa Park today to hear a concert being done by the La Jolla Symphony Chorus (which a friend of mine sings with) - and after the concert, we wandered around on a little photo safari. Here are some of our pics. Enjoy!

Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau

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Mendenhall Glacier Canoeing

Steve Barber

In Southeast Alaska, in August, it rains. It rains a lot. When you're on vacation and it rains a lot, you get used to the rain or you miss your vacation. In the middle of a Princess cruise, we stopped in Juneau. Only five of us were crazy enough to want to canoe out to the Mendenhall Glacier on a chilly, steadily raining morning. Our guide Christina was relentlessly cheerful. Paddling out among the crystal and blue icebergs recently calved from the glacier was magical. They were all shapes and sizes. We would glide up to them and whack them with our paddles. It was so cold and miserable by the time we got to the glacier we thought we couldn't take it any more. Christina then magically produced cups of hot cider, crackers, cheese spread, and reindeer sausage. Thus fortified, we rallied. We even took a side paddle to explore the base of a fairly serious waterfall on the other side of the lake. The rain cleared up a bit on the way back. We were cold, we were soaked, but we were delighted. The less intrepid travelers who took a bus to the park visitor center probably couldn't even see the glacier for the fog and mist. We were right up there with it. Awesome.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Big Sur

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Must-See Waterfall into the Pacific Ocean

Jade Broadus

After five hours in the car, I was more than happy to hop out and hike the 1.4 miles out to Pfeiffer Burns State Park and get the prize of a beautiful waterfall. The water's color is an unreal sea blue/green that I have never seen before. The best part- the hike and view is free. Highly suggest if you are making the drive up or down the PCH.

The Campbell Apartment

New York

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Gorgeous, Decadent Bar from the Gilded Era

Charissa Fay

AFAR Ambassador

AFAR Ambassadors are in-the-know bloggers who have a passion for experiential travel.

Campbell Apartment is hands-down one of the most beautiful bars in New York City. Tucked away in a side corner of Grand Central, the bar is only marked by a discreet plaque at the entrance. Step in and you will feel as if you have entered a scene from an Edith Wharton novel.
The lounge, which was originally the office of 1920's business mogul John W. Campbell, and had a $1 million renovation in 1999, is reminiscent of an Italian palazzo.
The beautifully painted 25' high wood-beamed ceiling, striking lead glass window behind the bar, huge stone fireplace and dim, mysterious lighting add to the decadent allure. You can picture everyone from Golden Age tycoons to Don Draper nursing cocktails in the dimly-lit corners.
Try to go a bit off-hours so you can feel time slow down and relish the cocoon-like feel of the dark lounge. Drinks are pricey so try to linger and let the night play itself out. Enjoy the all-around guilty pleasure of it all!
Do take note: proper attire is required (no jeans, sneakers, shorts, etc).

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

New York

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Must-See Museum

Marc Einsele

This spiraling white concrete structure, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is one of the most iconic buildings in NYC, if not in all of the USA. This is one museum where the building itself is as interesting as the exhibition inside. First check out the façade from the Central Park side of Fifth Ave, and then head inside to examine the rotunda and the famous coiled ramp; it’s more enjoyable (and easier) to take the elevator to the top and walk down.

Central Park

New York

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A Special Spot in Central Park

Christina Saull

AFAR Ambassador

AFAR Ambassadors are in-the-know bloggers who have a passion for experiential travel.

There's a magical place in Central Park called the Mall, or, more specifically, the Literary Walk—a wide gravel path lined with huge shade trees that gracefully drape over the walk and the benches that dot both sides. About half way down on the right side is a bench that looks much like the others. That is, until you walk up to it and read the memorial plaque. It's to Jim Henson, creator of many of my childhood loves (most notably: the Muppets). His bench looks no different than the others, the memorial plaque looks no different than the hundreds of others that dot the park. Yet his name means so much to so many people. I noticed this plaque about three years ago for the first time and now I'm immediately drawn to it every time I'm in the park. I've told some people about it, but it still feels like my secret, special spot in Central Park.
The Literary Walk is located on the south end of The Mall section of the park. It can be found mid-park from 66th to 72nd Streets.

Mission District

San Francisco

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Explore the Mission with Explore San Francisco Mission Walking Tours

Liv Combe

AFAR Contributor

If you and your friends are looking to eat a little food in the Mission, do a little shopping, and learn a lot about the neighborhood you’re in, both past and present, then take one of Explore San Francisco’s Mission walking tours.
These fun, casual walking tours last a couple hours and are led by long-time Mission residents who know their neighborhood better than anyone.
If you’re looking for a general tour, take the “Explore the Mission” walking tour; you’ll see everything from the fire hydrant that saved this part of the city during the 1906 earthquake and fire to Mark Zuckerberg’s $10 million home, the Clarion Alley murals to shopping on Valencia Street, and the Dandelion Chocolate factory to the Mexican restaurant that invented the burrito. You’ll get a look at the Mission from the time of the Ohlone Indians to the current dot com boom.
Explore the Mission tours are every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and begin at 11 am. The cost is $69 per person, but reserve online in advance and you’ll get it for $40. Call 405-514-3636 to learn more or visit their website.

Jean-Talon Market

Montréal's Marché Jean-Talon has been around since the 1930s—it's one of the largest and oldest farmers' markets still operating in North America. In the city's "Petite Italie" neighborhood, it's the best place on the island to get fresh produce and people-watch. Brush up on your French, and get ready to smile and taste your way through the colorful corridors. On my wife's first trip to Montréal, this was one of her favorite spots.
for more information:
http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/English/Jean-Talon/

Yosemite National Park

The Upper Falls Trail hike is a great day trip in Yosemite during the quieter months of spring, fall, and early or really late winter (when the heat, crowds, and mosquitoes are gone).
The distance is 7.6 miles (12 kilometers) round-trip from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead, or 9.4 miles (15 kilometers) if you include Yosemite Point. Your elevation gain will be 2,600 feet (790 meters) to the top of Yosemite Falls and 2,969 feet (890 meters) to Yosemite Point. The trip can take six to eight hours.
It's a significant workout and you'll need to have plenty of water and snacks to fuel you on the panoramic hike. This photo was taken in February and the ice and snow at the base of the falls was a special treat. Charge those camera batteries!

74485 National Park Dr

Outerlands

San Francisco

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Outerlands Cafe, San Francisco

Danny Hess

You definitely can’t miss this café. It’s become a food destination. I dream about their open-faced fried egg and bacon sandwich. They top it with provolone cheese and Anaheim peppers, and sometimes on Sundays they’ll throw on some portobello mushrooms. If someone reached into my brain and pulled out the best sandwich I could imagine, that would be it. 4001 Judah St., (415) 661-6140, outerlandssf.com.
This story appeared in the January/February 2012 issue.

The Morgan Library & Museum

New York

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JP Morgan's Old-World Library

Charissa Fay

AFAR Ambassador

AFAR Ambassadors are in-the-know bloggers who have a passion for experiential travel.

The JP Morgan Library's grand, old-world elegance immediately transports you to turn-of-the-century New York. And at that time, there was almost no one more powerful than financier JP Morgan. He launched U.S. Steel and even served as the unofficial central bank of the U.S. for a time. Though some considered him a national hero, his tight control of banks, corporations and railroads led others to label him one of the original "robber barons."
Morgan was an avid collector of art and books with holdings so vast they were housed at multiple locations in New York and England. Eventually, he decided to consolidate his holdings in a huge library next to his mansion in NYC. Designed by renowned architect Charles McKim and completed in 1906, the Italian Renaissance palazzo-style library holds a staggering collection of illuminated books, historical manuscripts, and old master drawings.
The library is rightfully considered McKim's masterpiece—a majestic, soaring space which is both intimate and warm. It features 30-foot ceilings, three tiers of bronze and walnut bookcases, stained glass, a huge marble fireplace and grand tapestries. Also visit Mr. Morgan's study, with its red silk damask walls and antique wooden ceiling brought over from Florence.
The library is off the typical tourist's radar. Imagine yourself as Morgan in your private quarters, reveling in the power and wealth at your command.